Richard Garrard

There has been much interest in the new editor/publisher of The Utah Humanist. Meet Richard Garrard.

On a bleak, dark day in the winter of 1997, Richard Garrard opened his day planner, and wrote at the top of a page, "What I Believe."

He was 41 years old. His marriage of 18 years had ended, his children were 300 miles away, his body was wracked by physical illness and emotional pain. He had been living someone else's life for a quarter of a century. He wrote:

"We must choose whether or not to live or die. This is not a choice that is made once, but may have to be decided every day. Without this, nothing else matters."

After touching bottom, he was on his way back up towards the light.

Although he was born and raised in the Salt Lake valley, Richard has always felt himself to be on the outside of the local culture. At the age of 18, in a search for love and acceptance, he joined the LDS church. He attended BYU on a creative writing scholarship, only to discover that his adopted religion was not what it seemed. Leaving BYU left him in a state of confusion about his identity and purpose; this confusion took him on a course away from his true nature for the next 20 years.

Today, Richard has begun a new life. The interests which fascinated him from childhood occupy him: science, history, religions, writing.

Richard's new life includes the joyous exploration of knowledge on all fronts. He loves to spend time with his two children, listen to music, read, travel, camp and walk down mountain trails. His favorite books include the works of Carl Sagan, Annie Dillard, Wendy Kaminer, Richard Dawkins, Michael Schermer, Vardis Fisher, Tom Robbins, and James Lee Burke. Another favorite activity is looking through his telescope at the wonders of the universe.

On October 1, 2000, he married the love of his life, Eve O'Neill, in a ceremony conducted by Florien Wineriter. Richard and Eve now make their home only a mile from Richard's childhood home, complete with two cats, a dog, and a spectacular view of Mount Olympus. Recently, Richard began his apprenticeship toward becoming the next editor and publisher of The Utah Humanist. It will be a challenge, especially considering that he struggles with chronic tendonitis in both arms, but perseverance, voice recognition technology, and the love and support of his dear companion ensures success.

Richard offers one last quote, from Joseph Campbell: "People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. I think what we're really seeking is an experience of being alive, of the rapture of being alive."

--by Richard Garrard